Disclaimer: Mintail owns the character of Lightia, but she does not own half life in any way, shape, or form. If she did she would be extremely rich. And make G-Man do a funny dance.

"EEEK!" the girl shrieked. The Combine soldier grabbed her and held her in the air. "Eee! Keeeaa!" He examined her. It was not possible. It couldn't be. A child? But...the suppression field...there was just no way. It had to be a trick. It was a robot...it was not real...

Barney stared at the Combine soldier that had it's back to him. He seemed to be holding onto something that was struggling furiously. "What's going on?" His uncaring, robotic CPU voice said. "God," he thought, "I hate my voice when I have this damned suit on." The Combine turned round.

"Look! Look!" He came closer. "It's a child!" Barney's eyebrows flew so far up his head, they seemed to disappear.

"What?!" he hissed. There couldn't be a child here! The Combine set up the suppression field 20 years ago...there was no way... The little girl wriggled away from the Combine and rushed over to Barney, hiding behind his leg.

"Powice-man! Baaaad!" she spoke in baby words. "Need find Awyx...Awyx and Gordon Fweeman..." Barney gasped.

"What did you say?" he whispered. She stared at him. She opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by the Combine radioing back-up.

"Need immediate assistance. Possible suppression field glitch...code 204, location is-" he was cut off by Barney hitting him in the back of the head. He fell to the ground unconscious. Barney grabbed the little girl and held her tight.

"Uh oh. That wasn't the best idea...What the heck am I gonna do?!" he bit his lip nervously. Suddenly, an idea hit him. "Doctor Kleiner'll know what to do!" He looked down curiously at the little girl. "What's your name?" he asked, in as nice a voice as his Combine suit would allow.

"Lightia...Lightia needs find Awyx and Gordon Fweeman..." She yawned and lay her head on Barney's shoulder. He chuckled.

"Guess we'd best be going." He started jogging off in the direction of Doctor Kleiner's lab.

"Number 936? 936? Report immediately!" there was a pause. "Possible CPU down, location unknown. Reports of possible s-field glitch...Will we send out search units?" the voice on the radio asked.

"Negative on that. Reports of Anti-citizen one going to White Forest have taken up too many units. Checking records of s-field show no problems until it was destroyed."

"Alright. CPU:936, City 17, missing 1AM."

Doctor Kleiner put down his stethoscope and sighed. "She is most definitely human. No doubt about it. The real question is," he rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Where did she come from?" Barney looked at him, confused.

"What are you talking about? If she couldn't have come from here, then where could she have came from?" Doctor Kleiner frowned.

"Now, Barney, let us not forget about the Combine here! They came from an entirely different world! Who is to say that there are no more out there?" He shook his head. "No...That is the only possible explanation. She is far too young to be from this world. The suppression field has been up longer than she's been alive!"

"Weee!" Lightia giggled. Doctor Kleiner and Barney turned to look at her. She was playing with Lamaar. Apparently, Lamaar was very good with children. She suddenly stopped, and walked over to them. "...We need...ummm...we need..." Barney and Doctor Kleiner stared at her, waiting for her words intently. "...We need go toilet." They sighed, exasperated.

"Come on honey," Barney moved to pick her up, "I'll show you the bathroom." But, he froze.

"Barney? What-" Barney pointed to her face. It was blank, unresponsive. Her eyes seemed to be witnessing events in another place. Her mouth hung open, mystified with what she could see. Doctor Kleiner frowned.

"Lightia, dear, are you al-" He was interrupted as a bright burst of light filled the room. "What is going on?!" He shouted.

Barney grabbed Lightia. "What's wrong?! What's wrong Lightia?!" He shook her lightly, trying to get her attention. Suddenly, he flew back. Lightia seemed to regain her composure. But, she turned, and walked towards the light. "No! COME BACK!" Barney screamed. He didn't know what the light was, but he knew that he shouldn't let the little girl go to it. But, as he ran forwards to try and grab her again, the light disappeared, and so did Lightia.

That's it for now, guys! Ooh...cliffhanger -drools-...R&R, arigato!! :D